Custom electrostatic optics

California, United States

The projection lens system was designed as an add-on to a large accelerator SIMS instrument at the California Institute of Technology. Its function is to allow the researchers to view the ion beam (and measure the signal) before injection into the accelerator stage.

It comprises two high voltage lenses (up to 16kV) in an internally electro-polished UHV chamber, after which there is a motor-driven UHV sliding stage that allows the beam to be re-positioned to less than 50 micrometers at either a DMCP/phosphor assembly with an external imaging camera, or at an electron multiplier for pulse counting of the specific masses, or at a Faraday cup for ion currents where pulse counting is no longer applicable. Fast switching between the counting detector and the Faraday cup is made possible by a set of beam deflectors. The whole unit was supported in an open frame that was then attached to the existing framework of the accelerator SIMS.

Features

The accelerator SIMS is one of the facilities that analysed the captured solar wind samples that returned to earth in September 2004 as part of the Genesis project. It is widely accepted that an accurate oxygen isotope composition measurement for the Sun, which represents >99% of all material in the present- day solar system would distinguish between current theories of solar system formation.

This project is another example of Kore’s ability and willingness to take on special, one-off projects, and yet price them sensibly and competitively for a University customer. We are happy to have provided a small but integral part of this powerful instrumentation.

PRICING AND ORDERING

Kore Technology is a centre of excellence in time-of-flight mass spectrometer technology and has a very strong R&D capability in terms of its personnel, all of whom have been heavily involved in a variety of analytical instrumentation development programmes.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us via our online form or telephone us for more information, we offer a wide range of products and services to suit your requirements.